Food News

Vegetable Oils Lead Sharpest Increase (Image Credits: Unsplash) World food commodity prices climbed in March for the second straight month, with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reporting a 2.4% increase in its Food Price Index to an average of 128.5 points.[1][2] Vegetable oils and sugar led the gains, fueled by higher crude oil prices linked to the ongoing war in Iran. Every major commodity group registered upward movement, highlighting vulnerabilities in global supply chains amid geopolitical tensions. Vegetable Oils Lead Sharpest Increase The vegetable oil price index jumped 5.1% to 183.1 points, extending its third consecutive monthly rise … Read more

Landmark Move Signals North American Ambitions (Image Credits: Unsplash) Quebec — Belgium-based United Petfood made a significant stride into the North American pet food sector last week by purchasing a modern dry pet food production facility in Drummondville from Legault Group.[1][2] The acquisition, announced on April 2, 2026, positions the Ghent-headquartered company to tap into growing demand across Canada. This step follows the firm’s earlier entry into the United States and underscores its aggressive push beyond Europe.[1] Landmark Move Signals North American Ambitions United Petfood described the deal as a "landmark moment."[1] The Jupiter facility, which began operations in 2023, … Read more

Building on Two Decades of Expertise (Image Credits: Unsplash) Doral, Florida – A leading distributor of Latin American and Caribbean food products, El Latino Foods, has entered a strategic partnership with private equity firm Apex Capital. The alliance aims to propel the company’s growth across the United States. This move comes at a time when demand for authentic ethnic specialties continues to rise in mainstream retail channels.[1][2] Building on Two Decades of Expertise El Latino Foods traces its roots to 2002, when María Elena Ibañez founded the company in Doral. Over the years, it established itself as a key player … Read more

Fortenova Sharpens Strategy with Asset Sales (Image Credits: Pexels) Croatia – Fortenova Group reached an agreement with Bosqar Invest on a binding offer to acquire full ownership of Pik Vrbovec, the nation’s premier meat producer.[1][2] This transaction capped Fortenova’s efforts to shed agricultural holdings and sharpen focus on non-core activities. Bosqar plans to fold the company into its Future Food division, creating a stronger regional player amid global supply concerns. Fortenova Sharpens Strategy with Asset Sales Fortenova reported significant debt reduction, trimming gross obligations by more than a third to €650 million from peaks near €2 billion last July.[1] Management … Read more

The Products Pulled from Shelves (Image Credits: Pexels) Media, Pennsylvania – Wawa launched a voluntary recall on April 3, 2026, for select 16-ounce bottles of its signature iced teas, lemonade, and fruit punch sold at stores across five states. The action addresses a potential undeclared milk allergen that could endanger consumers with milk allergies. No illnesses have surfaced so far, but the company acted swiftly after spotting a production glitch.[1] The Products Pulled from Shelves A temporary equipment malfunction at the Wawa Beverage Company facility introduced traces of milk into beverages not labeled to contain it. The recall targets specific … Read more

Details of the Recalled Product (Image Credits: Pixabay) Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania – Karns Foods initiated a voluntary recall on its Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups after discovering undeclared peanuts in the product. The affected items pose a serious health risk to consumers with peanut allergies, potentially leading to life-threatening reactions. This action underscores the critical importance of accurate food labeling in preventing allergic incidents.[1] Details of the Recalled Product The recall targets approximately 8-ounce clear plastic packages of Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups. These packages bear a pack date of September 18, 2025. An estimated 26 to 42 packs entered distribution … Read more

Initial Alert Raises Eyebrows Nationwide (Image Credits: Unsplash) Families across the United States breathed a sigh of relief this week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the retraction of a recent public health alert. The alert had targeted a beloved children’s product from Walmart’s Great Value line. Further testing revealed no actual risk, highlighting the rigorous verification processes in food safety monitoring.[1] Initial Alert Raises Eyebrows Nationwide On April 1, 2026, FSIS issued a public health alert for Walmart Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets. Routine surveillance sampling by the New … Read more

Survey Targets Critical Industry Awareness (Image Credits: Unsplash) Northern Ireland – A recent survey among ready-to-eat food manufacturers uncovered notable gaps in understanding key aspects of European Listeria regulations, even as operators demonstrated solid adherence to essential control practices. Researchers targeted businesses handling products like sandwiches and cooked meats to gauge familiarity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005.[1][2] This regulation sets microbiological criteria to safeguard public health against Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen linked to severe foodborne illness. The findings underscore a need for targeted education to bridge these knowledge shortfalls. Survey Targets Critical Industry Awareness Investigators anonymously polled 128 ready-to-eat … Read more

Outbreak Detection and Initial Response (Image Credits: Unsplash) The Food and Drug Administration recently published a summary of a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak connected to mangoes, documenting 56 illnesses across an undisclosed number of states. This Executive Incident Summary Abstract, part of the agency’s push for greater transparency, nonetheless omits critical details such as company names and locations.[1][2] Investigators traced the cases back to imported fruit, yet redactions leave consumers and industry observers without actionable information to prevent future risks. Outbreak Detection and Initial Response Federal health officials first learned of the Salmonella Saintpaul cluster on November 20, 2025, when the … Read more

High Prevalence of Dangerous Bacteria (Image Credits: Unsplash) Switzerland – Researchers recently examined raw milk from vending machines nationwide and discovered troubling levels of harmful bacteria. The analysis highlighted pathogens capable of causing serious foodborne illnesses, raising fresh concerns about the safety of these popular farm-direct dispensers. Conducted between June and October 2025, the investigation sampled milk from 124 machines across multiple cantons, revealing hygiene lapses and contamination risks that challenge consumer confidence in unpasteurized products.[1][2] High Prevalence of Dangerous Bacteria One of the study’s most striking findings involved Yersinia enterocolitica, detected in 29.8% of samples. This bacterium appeared in … Read more